Backward Design
Encyclopedia
Backward design is a method of designing curriculum
by setting goals before choosing activities or content to teach. The idea is to teach towards those goals, which ensures that the content taught remains focused and organized, promoting a better understanding for students. "Backward Design" is a term created by Grant Wiggins in his book, Understanding by Design (1999, 1st ed.).
Backward design challenges the traditional methods of curriculum planning. In traditional curriculum planning, one sits down and write down the list of content that will be taught. In backward design, one starts with goals, then assessments and finally lesson plan
s. A metaphor used by proponents of backward design is a roadmap: with backward design, one chooses the destination first and then follows the map to go directly there. With traditional curriculum planning, one just hits the road hoping to reach the final destination (if it is even defined).
tournament. Coaches would not deny the value of soccer practice, but it is clear that it does not fit the goals set out by the team. In backward design, educators approach the situation in very much the same way
s or unit (in the case of a curriculum planning). This ensure that lessons and units flow towards the goals set in the first section and learning and understanding is assessed properly.
Curriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
by setting goals before choosing activities or content to teach. The idea is to teach towards those goals, which ensures that the content taught remains focused and organized, promoting a better understanding for students. "Backward Design" is a term created by Grant Wiggins in his book, Understanding by Design (1999, 1st ed.).
Backward design challenges the traditional methods of curriculum planning. In traditional curriculum planning, one sits down and write down the list of content that will be taught. In backward design, one starts with goals, then assessments and finally lesson plan
Lesson plan
A lesson plan is a teacher's detailed description of the course of instruction for one class. A daily lesson plan is developed by a teacher to guide class instruction. Details will vary depending on the preference of the teacher, subject being covered, and the need and/or curiosity of children...
s. A metaphor used by proponents of backward design is a roadmap: with backward design, one chooses the destination first and then follows the map to go directly there. With traditional curriculum planning, one just hits the road hoping to reach the final destination (if it is even defined).
Established goals
First the educator chooses the goals of the curriculum or the unit to be taught. This is divided in five sections:- The established goals (usually national or local standards to meet)
- The essential questions to consider
- The enduring understandings that students should have (Students will understand...)
- Content knowledge acquired (Students will know...)
- Skills acquired (Students will be able to...)
Assessment
The second part of curriculum planning with backward design is finding an assessment. This is usually the most difficult part for traditional educators switching to backward design because it is hard to conceptualize an assessment before deciding on lessons. The idea is that the assessment (formative and summative) should meet the goals set in the first section. This is to avoid assessing something that was not a goal and ensure that the goals are assessed. A metaphor to illustrate the reason for putting the assessment second could be to avoid soccer practice to prepare a team for a basketballBasketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
tournament. Coaches would not deny the value of soccer practice, but it is clear that it does not fit the goals set out by the team. In backward design, educators approach the situation in very much the same way
Learning plan
Finally, educators list the essential questions to be considered in individual lessonLesson
A lesson is a structured period of time where learning is intended to occur. It involves one or more students being taught by a teacher or instructor...
s or unit (in the case of a curriculum planning). This ensure that lessons and units flow towards the goals set in the first section and learning and understanding is assessed properly.